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* Medical - yes, very important as I use the VA for my medical needs. I have been spoiled here in Boise
in regard to the level of care I receive. So that is a concern finding a good VA for me and good medical for
my wife...
Del Webb is planning a new 55+ community in Port St Lucie, FL, but I am not sure of the proposed date. It will be about a half hour's drive to the WPB VA Medical Center, plus the State is building a Veteran's assisted living center and Nursing Home about 5 minutes from the Del Webb Community.
We have been going to the WPB VA for all of my husband's medical needs since we moved to Florida 4 years ago. I have been extremely happy with them. Because of his medical condition he may some day wind up having to live in the nursing home that they are building so the proximity of the 55+ development would be extremely convenient for daily visits.
You should move wherever you both are happy but you identified a very valid concern. Support network for the survivor is part of our future decision tree as well. Right now we are planning to NOT move out of our two story colonial in the neighborhood where we have lived for over 35 years because our friends and neighbors will be the survivor's support group - at least if anything happened in the near term.
There are also CCRC's and a Del Webb community in our local area which would not require severing ties with long term friends and professional service providers, when we do eventually need to move.
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As I mentioned earlier, these darn adult children keep talking about moving soon and we don't want to chase them around the country.
Another reason we have no desire to move from S-E Michigan to the Boston area where both kids will soon be living - at least temporarily.
Make that IMMEDIATE access to quality medical care. We live within 10 miles of two nationally ranked major research hospitals and our Doctors are highly capable as a result. My sister and cousins live about 30-40 miles from these same facilities and their quality of medical care in that area is frightening! At least to me. Family Medicine Doctors with zero hospital privileges! Local Hospitals that are "Waiting to Die" facilities rather than "Healing & Recovery" facilities.
People will eagerly drive the 30-40 miles to go shopping but not to see a high quality medical practitioner; I just don't get it.
You saw your mother's lifestyle and your wife likes the idea of a 55+. So why would you want to live in the mountains? Small towns are lacking in healthcare and amenities. When you get old you need other people.
I moved to a 55+ away from family, 2000 miles away. Best thing I ever did. It has to be the right 55+ though. It has to be near a large city, an airport, and everything you think you may need. I have all of that. You also need a fair amount of people so you have lots of stuff to do. We have about 39,000.
Some of my older neighbors now have their children living here. Some people are 3rd generation living in the same house or condo their grandparents bought.
In my condo association, one of 386, the people are (mostly) good friendly people ready to help when help is needed. I have never seen a case where someone tried to take advantage of someone's help or generosity. I never expected it to be this good!
As I mentioned earlier family can move here when they are 55 so the distance may only be temporary. We have had many that came to visit and ended up buying or will be when they age in.
The problem I see is what you wanted is nothing like this. Being on a mountain with few if any people around is as far from this as can be.
I and three previous generations have retired to a very similar community but in FL (Sun City Center)....I like the idea of being relatively close to a larger city because I enjoy attending sports, cultural activities (symphony, Broadway, concerts) and being near a decent airport for visitors or my own travel. Having major medical centers nearby is another plus. Yes, I like the mountains as well and have a small travel trailer and a solid tow vehicle and head for the mountains every summer for biking and exploring....nice change of pace, but I usually enjoy getting back to the amenities of my community. I have no aversion to being around "old people" in a retirement community.....someday that old person could be me.....
Make your retirement life based on your dreams, not on your fears.
That sounds good, but isn't practical/realistic. As most age, there is a need for health care and other resources - it is irresponsible in my opinion to have to depend on the kindness of others to get you to and from these resources. Great to live this sort of dreamlife during your early retirement (50s), but as you get in your 70s and beyond, I think it's prudent to be where the resources are.
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